Are you interested in becoming a medical assistant? If so, the good news is there are different roles that you can choose from. One such role is working in a group practice. If you’re considering a healthcare career, understanding the medical assistant role in a group practice can help you better decide your future. This article will explore what medical assistants do, the concept of group practice, the specific responsibilities medical assistants take in such settings, and the steps to becoming a medical assistant working in a group practice.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
A medical assistant is the backbone of any medical team and performs clinical and clerical duties to support doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Their tasks can vary depending on the type of practice and the needs of the healthcare team, but they generally include:
Clerical Duties
• Scheduling patient appointments.
• Manage medical records and update patient information.
• Handling insurance verification and billing.
• Answering phone calls and responding to patient inquiries.
Clinical Duties
• Taking vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate.
• Recording patient history and changes in lifestyle
• Preparing patients for examinations.
• Assisting healthcare providers during procedures.
• Collecting and processing lab specimens like blood or urine samples.
What is a Group Practice?
A group practice is made up of multiple physicians and other healthcare professionals collaborating to deliver comprehensive patient care. Unlike a doctor’s office, where a single doctor manages all aspects of patient care, group practices collaborate to improve patient health outcomes.
Team-Based Approach: Doctors in group practices often specialize in different fields, such as family medicine, pediatrics, or internal medicine, allowing for coordinated care.
Shared Resources: Group practices share administrative staff, medical equipment, and office space.
Focus on Continuity of Care: Patients benefit from seeing multiple providers within the same group practice, reducing medical errors and test redundancy.
What is the Role of the Medical Assistant in a Group Practice?
The medical assistant role plays an essential role in a group practice. Some of the clinical and clerical duties of a medical assistant include:
Keep Group Practices Running Smoothly
Medical assistants maintain an efficient workflow by ensuring patients are seen on time and are prepared for their appointments. They escort patients to exam rooms, gather and record medical histories, and ensure they are clean and stocked with necessary supplies.
Keep the Practice on Track
Medical assistants in group practices often assist multiple providers throughout the day. This can involve switching between specialties, such as preparing a patient for a pediatric checkup, assisting in a dermatology procedure, and managing different providers’ schedules to avoid overlaps or delays.
Creating Happy Patients
Medical assistants are often patients’ first and last point of contact during their visit. Their role includes explaining procedures, answering patient questions, providing post-visit instructions, and ensuring patients feel comfortable and cared for throughout their visit.
Help Doctors Focus on Patients
In group practice, medical assistants play an essential role in clerical duties, allowing doctors and nurses to focus on patient care. They update electronic health records (EHRs), handle referrals, coordinate appointments with specialists, and assist with insurance claims and pre-authorizations.
Being an Ambassador
Medical assistants act as liaisons between patients and providers and between different members of the healthcare team. This ensures that doctors are informed about patient concerns, lab results, imaging, and other diagnostic information are delivered promptly, and patients receive follow-up communication after their visits.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Here are the steps to get started as a medical assistant in a group practice:
Step #1: Earn a High School Diploma or GED
A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement to begin a career as a medical assistant.
Step #2: Enroll in a Medical Assistant Program at Meridian College
While some medical assistants are trained on the job, completing an accredited medical assistant program can increase your job prospects and earning potential. Many employers want entry-level medical assistants with experience. How can you get experience if you are having to start working yet? The best way to get this experience is by completing your education, which includes hands-on training and an externship to put theory to the test outside the classroom.
Step #3: Gain Certification
Certification is not required but is highly recommended, especially in group practices that may prefer credentialed staff. Two certifications that Meridian College prepares you for include:
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Step #4. Apply for Jobs in Group Practices
The best part about completing the Medical Assistant program at Meridian College is that we will help you find a job in a group practice that you are passionate about. We will also help you build a strong resume and prepare for job interviews at community healthcare facilities.
Final Thoughts
By pursuing the proper education, gaining certification, and developing essential skills, you can become a medical assistant and thrive in a group practice. Let Meridian College help you start a rewarding career where you help others and work in a job you are passionate about. It’s a win-win.
Medical Assistant Program
Meridian College offers a hands–on Medical Assistant training program taught by experienced school faculty who know how to prepare you for the daily challenges you’ll face on the job. From assisting doctors with patients to critical administrative tasks, our experienced teachers will train you for a rewarding new career.
Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a medical assistant.